Millwall head coach Neil Harris has provided an important update on the fitness of new signing Mihalio Ivanovic, who has been sidelined with an injury since his arrival at The Den on deadline day.
Ivanovic, a 19-year-old forward from Serbia and the club’s record signing, was initially expected to miss around eight weeks due to the setback. Despite this, the young player received a call-up to the Serbian national team for their recent international fixtures, sparking questions about his availability.
In a recent interview, Harris clarified the situation, explaining that although Ivanovic is unavailable for Millwall, his inclusion in the Serbia squad was a crucial step for the youngster’s development.
“We are hopefully going to get a bit more clarity this week,” Harris told NewsAtDen. “We were delighted that Mihalio went away with Serbia last week. It’s really important. We knew he was going, and we were delighted because what a privilege for him – a 19-year-old being called up by his national team head coach. The chance to go away, meet the coach, and spend time in the setup was really important.”
Despite not featuring in Serbia’s matches, Ivanovic’s participation in the camp allowed the Serbian Football Association to evaluate his condition personally. The young forward left the camp before Serbia’s first game against Spain, returning to Millwall for further assessments.
Harris provided more details on this arrangement: “The Serbian FA wanted to run their own checks and see the player, meet him, and spend time with him. We were cool with that. They wanted to see Mihalio on the pitch for a couple of days just to assess where he was at, and then they made the decision to support us in letting him come back.”
Ivanovic is now back at Millwall, where he will undergo further assessments to determine the full extent of his injury and to clarify the timeline for his return to action. “He will see the specialist this week, and then all of us will have clarity on where he is at and when he’ll be available, whether in the short term or if it’s going to be more mid-term,” Harris added. “Once we get that information, I’ll be able to update everybody.”
The Millwall boss also reassured fans that the club is working closely with national football associations to ensure that Ivanovic’s health is managed with the bigger picture in mind. “We work very closely with FAs, and everyone is in agreement that we’re looking at the bigger picture,” Harris concluded.
Ivanovic’s injury will undoubtedly be a setback for Millwall, who signed off before the international break with a morale-boosting win against Sheffield Wednesday after a tough start to the season.
Who is Mihalio Ivanovic?
Mihalio Ivanovic began his professional career with Serbian club FK Partizan, where he quickly rose through the youth ranks due to his impressive performances as a forward. Known for his strong physical presence and eye for goal, Ivanovic gained attention across Europe, making his senior debut at the age of 17.
His breakthrough season came in 2022, when he became a regular starter for Partizan, scoring several crucial goals in both domestic league matches and European competitions. His performances attracted the interest of various clubs across Europe, but it was Millwall who secured his services, signing him as their record transfer on deadline day in 2024.
Ivanovic’s international career has also been promising. Despite his young age, he has already been capped at various youth levels for Serbia and earned his first call-up to the senior national team in 2024, even though the injury prevented him from participating in matches during his first call-up.
Writer’s View
The situation surrounding Mihalio Ivanovic’s injury certainly raises concerns about Millwall’s current stability. While Neil Harris is keen to present a calm and coordinated front, the fact that a record signing is immediately sidelined adds to a sense of uncertainty. The club’s decision to allow Ivanovic to join the Serbia camp despite his injury raises questions with supporters. Harris’s comments, though reassuring, seem designed to downplay what could be a more complicated issue than it appears.
Given the delicate nature of Ivanovic’s fitness and the financial and emotional investment in his future, it is crucial for Millwall to establish a clearer timeline for his return. This latest injury update doesn’t inspire confidence in a swift resolution, and fans may well be left wondering if the club’s ambitions can be realized with such instability early in the season.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief at The Real EFL, Gary is a passionate Lincoln City fan with extensive content creation across the Championship and EFL. He also shares expert football betting tips.
